On 11 February 1858, around the time of her first Communion, she was gathering firewood with her sisters when a beautiful lady appeared to her in a cave. She appeared a total of 18 times.
During the apparitions Bernadette was persecuted by the authorities and also by
her family. Before the last apparition the Lady said to her " I am the Immaculate
Conception" ,she asked her to pray for sinners and to have a Chapel built near the
grotto. After the last apparition a spring of miraculous waters sprang from
the ground.
A great basilica was built in that place, where millions of pilgrims honor Our Lady
every year.
Bernadette became a nun and died at the age of thirty six, her body remains incorrupt.
The
Work of God Apostolate
www.theworkofgod.org